The number of Gambian students taking the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) has risen sharply, but results show they continue to perform poorly in English and mathematics, while excelling in science and technical subjects.

Figures from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) show 20,247 candidates from 156 schools sat the exams,  a 12.2% increase from last year. Girls made up more than 60% of the candidates.

Only 5.11% of those with complete records earned credit passes in at least five subjects including English and mathematics.

Just under one in five passed English, and fewer than one in ten passed mathematics.

In contrast, Physics topped the performance chart with a 70.5% pass rate, followed by auto mechanics (69.8%), chemistry (52.7%) and health science (50.9%).

“We must urgently address the weaknesses in English and mathematics, but at the same time build on the strong potential our students are showing in science, technical and vocational fields,” the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education said in a statement.

The ministry added that it would invest more in high-performing subjects while stepping up interventions to improve core academic skills.

By Adama Makasuba